By: Ecofin Agency

As Mining on Top Africa (MOTA) prepares for its ninth edition in Paris on July 7-8, 2026, debates around mineral sovereignty, local value creation, and global competition for critical minerals continue to reshape Africa’s mining landscape. Organized by AME Trade, the summit brings together government officials, mining companies, investors, development finance institutions, and technology providers at a time when many African countries are revisiting mining policies to capture a greater share of the value generated from their resources.

One aspect of the event often sparks discussion: despite its focus on Africa’s mining future, the summit takes place in Europe. In this interview with Ecofin Agency, Talibouya Diagne, West Africa Director at AME Trade, explains the reasoning behind that choice, discusses the balance between mineral sovereignty and investment attractiveness, and outlines what organizers hope to achieve through this year’s gathering.

Ecofin Agency: African mining now has a growing number of regional and national forums. In that environment, where does MOTA fit, and what specific need does it address that other platforms do not?

Talibouya Diagne: Africa certainly does not lack mining conferences today, which reflects the growing importance of the sector worldwide. However, MOTA occupies a very specific place within that ecosystem. While many events focus on a single country, commodity, or region, MOTA was created to serve as a bridge between African mining jurisdictions and international investors, financial institutions, industrial partners, and technology providers. Our focus extends beyond mining projects themselves to the broader ecosystem required to unlock sustainable investment and generate long-term value.

What makes MOTA unique is the diversity of decision-makers it brings together. Ministers, mining companies, development finance institutions, equipment manufacturers, and legal experts all participate in a setting designed to encourage dialogue between resource holders and capital providers. We do not simply discuss mining. We discuss how mining can support industrialization, infrastructure development, energy security, and economic transformation across Africa. As global competition for critical minerals intensifies, that conversation has never been more important.

EA: After eight editions, what concrete and measurable impact can MOTA claim to have supported within Africa’s mining sector? What are your expectations for this year’s edition?

TD: MOTA has never claimed sole credit for specific investments or policy reforms. However, over the years, it has consistently provided a platform where many of those conversations begin. Through the summit, we have facilitated dialogue between governments and investors, supported discussions around mining reforms, highlighted emerging jurisdictions, and helped build relationships that later led to investment discussions, technical partnerships, financing opportunities, and policy exchanges.

One of the most tangible outcomes has been greater visibility for African mining jurisdictions in European and international markets. Countries that were once relatively unknown to international investors have used MOTA to communicate directly with decision-makers about reforms, licensing opportunities, geological potential, and strategic priorities.

For 2026, our ambition is to move discussions beyond extraction and place greater emphasis on local processing, industrialization, infrastructure corridors, and regional value chains. Those are the areas that will determine whether Africa can retain a larger share of the value generated by its mineral resources.

“Africa’s mining future will depend not only on decisions made by national governments, but also on the continent’s ability to engage strategically with international markets [...] and industrial partners.”

EA: Since its launch, MOTA has been held exclusively in Europe, primarily in Paris. With sovereignty serving as the central theme of this ninth edition, why keep an Africa-focused summit outside the continent?

TD: That is a question we hear often, and the answer is straightforward. MOTA is not intended to shift attention away from Africa. Its purpose is to present African mining opportunities directly to international stakeholders who play a critical role in the sector’s development. Paris remains one of Europe’s major centers for mining finance, development cooperation, and policy engagement with Africa. Many investment decisions, technology partnerships, financing discussions, and strategic collaborations that influence mining projects across the continent take shape in these major Western capitals.

I should also point out that this is not a European event about Africa. It is an Africa-led platform that showcases the continent’s priorities, opportunities, and ambitions to a global audience. This year’s theme, Securing Africa’s Mining Future: Sovereignty, Sustainability and Global Partnerships, reflects the reality that Africa’s mining future will be shaped not only by domestic policy decisions but also by the continent’s ability to engage strategically with international markets, technology providers, financiers, and industrial partners.

By bringing those stakeholders together in Paris, MOTA helps ensure that Africa’s voice is heard where important decisions are made while creating opportunities to build the partnerships required for investment, industrialization, responsible resource development, and long-term economic growth.

“Rather than treating sovereignty and investment as competing goals, the conversation increasingly centers on how to create frameworks that align national development objectives with long-term investor confidence.”

EA: This year’s theme highlights a challenge that many African governments have struggled with for years: how to strengthen control over mineral resources while maintaining an attractive climate for foreign investors. Based on your discussions with participating delegations, how can a summit such as MOTA help bridge those two objectives?

TD: I do not believe sovereignty and investment are mutually exclusive. In fact, some of the world’s most successful mining jurisdictions demonstrate that the two can reinforce one another. Governments have a legitimate objective: ensuring that natural resources contribute meaningfully to national development, job creation, industrialization, and economic resilience. At the same time, investors need stability, predictability, transparency, and a clear regulatory framework. The challenge lies in finding the right balance.

MOTA provides a forum where key stakeholders can discuss these issues openly. Rather than framing sovereignty and investment as opposing forces, the conversation increasingly focuses on how to create frameworks that align national development goals with long-term investor confidence.

This balance is especially important for critical minerals, where many countries seek a larger role in processing and value creation while remaining competitive in global markets. Achieving that balance requires trust, transparency, and dialogue, which is exactly the type of engagement MOTA seeks to facilitate.

“Whether the issue is mineral sovereignty, access to energy, or downstream value creation, these challenges extend beyond national and regional borders and require collaboration among governments, investors, development institutions, and regional organizations.”

EA: Over the years, MOTA has built strong relationships with major mining jurisdictions, particularly in West and Central Africa. As mining challenges become increasingly interconnected across the continent, how is the summit expanding beyond those regions?

TD: Historically, MOTA established a strong presence in West and Central Africa, especially among countries seeking to attract investment, showcase reforms, and build partnerships with international stakeholders. However, from the beginning, the vision was never limited to a single region, language, or jurisdiction. It was created to support the growth and development of Africa’s mining sector as a whole.

Today, the sector’s opportunities and challenges are increasingly interconnected. Whether the issue is mineral sovereignty, infrastructure development, energy access, critical minerals, financing, industrialization, local content, or downstream value creation, these challenges extend beyond national and regional borders. They require collaboration among governments, industry players, investors, development institutions, and regional organizations.

That is where MOTA creates value. The summit brings together decision-makers and organizations that can help advance Africa’s long-term growth agenda.

As global demand for minerals continues to rise and supply chains evolve, Africa has an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen its position within the global mining industry. Ultimately, MOTA is a platform dedicated to bringing together the people and institutions capable of shaping Africa’s mining future and ensuring that the continent’s mineral wealth delivers long-term benefits for industry, communities, countries, and the region as a whole.